Finishing School for Dogs

Animal Training, Animal Breeders/Brokers, Pet Stores,

About us

My name is Karen Anderson and I am a graduate of Animal Behavior College where I earned my certification as an ABC Certified Dog Trainer. Animal Behavior College (ABC) is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education and is an internationally recognized school. My year long commitment to this program has provided me with a formal education in canine obedience training and understanding behavior and its motives. My certification, education and experience provide me the skills required to effectively and humanely train your dog while keeping alive the spark that makes your dog so special to you. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF: Graduate from Animal Behavior College. Mentor for Animal Behavior College. Attend educational workshops with top dog trainers from around the world. (Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor and Victoria Stilwell.) (I attend continuing education every year.) I teach Clicker training and "Yes" training along with treats, toys and praise. Member of the APDT, Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Former Board Member and Volunteer with the Frances Willis SPCA. (Summerville SC) Writing Articles with the LowCountry Dog Magazine (sister magazine with CedarValley Dog Magazine). Co-Chartering the Sister Magazine called CedarValley Dog Magazine. Coming this Summer/Fall 2011. Volunteering with SPCA's, Humane Society's and Rescues. $20 initial training session for Humane Society or Rescue alumni ($95.00 value) recent adoptions. (within 30 days of training lesson) Licensed, Insured & Bonded. Veterinarian Recommended.

Business highlights

20 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

We offer the following services: Private in-your-home training, Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience, Intermediate, Advanced, Clicker Training, Behavior Modification (shy or timid dogs), (over reactive or aggressive dogs), Assistance in picking the right pet for your family, Dog Walking and Exercise Dog Enrichment and Yoga Therapy dog training, Canine good citizen training, Working with families and kids,

Amenities

Free Estimates
Yes
Warranties
Yes
Senior Discount

10%



Accepted payment methods

Check
PayPal

Photos of past projects

Reviews

3.54 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
50%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
50%


Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
3.7
value
3.3
professionalism
3.5
responsiveness
3.6
punctuality
3.8
Showing 1-4 of 4 reviews

Katherine S.
09/2015
1.0
dog trainers
  + -1 more
She didn't show up so I made a follow up call after the event. She never returned my phone call. I have attempted to make contact multiple times and I've gotten nothing. I spoke with a former employee of hers that worked for us temporarily. She had nothing but bad things to say about her and how she runs her business. Based on my experience I would never recommend her services.
Description of Work: Karen was supposed to show up to a local dog event.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
1.0


Shirley F.
08/2015
1.0
dog trainers
  + -1 more
She was lousy. I wanted some tips on how to get my dog house used and all she talked about behaviour with other dogs which was fine but that was all she worked on the whole time she was here, making the dogs share and dogs are already sharing. She was not good and weird. She was competitive with things that we didn?t need help with. We already trained our dogs ourselves. She doesn?t have a lot of patience and drive. I will not use her again. The price was high for what she did because she did not do what I wanted her to do. What she was teaching them, we already taught them that. She cancelled the first appointment and re-scheduled it. She only answers your call once a week which is a Saturday which is really inconvenient. I will use the company again but not her specifically.
Description of Work: I used Finishing School for Dogs for a dog trainer.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
1.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
2.0

$65

Ralph G.
12/2011
5.0
dog trainers
  + -1 more
Too much to type, we had an unruley dog, found her website on Google and went from there.
Description of Work: Karen came to our home to help us with our unruly puppy. She was so friendly and had such a wonderful way about her. Our dog Dolly acted like a different dog when she came. Karen showed us how to communicate with Dolly so she would respond to us that way. Karen is truley the dog whisperer. She never used force nor did she use any verbal corrections. We were just amazed. In the 2 lessons we have had was worth every penny. Karen is very detailed. We can't wait for our next lesson and hate to see them end. We will def. be joining a group class now. Thank you Karen for your committment to us and our 4 legged daughter. Ralph and Harriet Cedar Falls, Iowa

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$270

Leah M.
12/2011
5.0
dog trainers
  + -1 more
We used Karen with Petagreed to train our two very unruly shi-tzus. Our dogs were 2 years old by the time we decided we needed professional help and had pretty well established that the little dogs were in control of our home. Within the first half of the first private lesson Karen helped me understand what different behaviors mean to the dogs and why we needed to do certain things to establish ourselves as the leader of the pack. By the time the first session ended our dogs were behaving so nicely, and following basic instructions! Karen has bought peace where there once was chaos! How do our dogs feel about Petagreed? They would do ANYTHING for "auntie" Karen. They LOVE Karen. After setting ground rules and getting a basic start to dog training with private lessons we also took basic dog obediance with both dogs. Karen loves the dogs and she loves helping families with their beloved dog.
Description of Work: Combination of individual private in home dog training and group dog training at the vet clinic in Cedar Falls.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$195

    Contact information

    unknown, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

    www.finishingschoolfordogs.com

    Service hours

    Sunday:
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Monday:
    Closed
    Tuesday:
    Closed
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
    Saturday:
    8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

    Licensing

    Bonded

    Insured

    Eco-friendly Accreditations

    LEED Accredited Professional
    No
    Energy Star Partner
    No
    EPA Lead-Safe Certified
    No
    Use Green Products or Work Practices
    Yes
    State Contractor License Requirements

    All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

    *Contact business to see additional licenses.


    Service Categories

    Animal Training,
    Animal Breeders/Brokers,
    Pet Stores,
    Animal Rescues/Shelters,
    Animal Burial/Cremation,
    Pet Bakeries,
    Dog Walking,
    Animal Fencing,
    Animal Grooming,
    Animal Removal,
    Animal Boarding Kennels,
    Veterinarians

    FAQ

    Finishing School for Dogs is currently rated 3.5 overall out of 5.

    Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Monday: Closed

    Tuesday: Closed

    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

    Friday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

    Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

    Finishing School for Dogs accepts the following forms of payment: Check,PayPal
    Yes, Finishing School for Dogs offers free project estimates.
    Yes, Finishing School for Dogs offers eco-friendly accreditations.
    No, Finishing School for Dogs does not offer a senior discount.
    No, Finishing School for Dogs does not offer emergency services.
    Yes, Finishing School for Dogs offers warranties.
    Finishing School for Dogs offers the following services: We offer the following services: Private in-your-home training, Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience, Intermediate, Advanced, Clicker Training, Behavior Modification (shy or timid dogs), (over reactive or aggressive dogs), Assistance in picking the right pet for your family, Dog Walking and Exercise Dog Enrichment and Yoga Therapy dog training, Canine good citizen training, Working with families and kids,

    Contact information

    unknown, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

    www.finishingschoolfordogs.com

    Service hours

    Sunday:
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Monday:
    Closed
    Tuesday:
    Closed
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
    Saturday:
    8:00 AM - 8:00 PM